Effect of pneumatic compression therapy on lymph movement in lymphedema-affected extremities, as assessed by near-infrared fluorescence lymphatic imaging
Aldrich MB, Gross D, Morrow JR, Fife CE, Rasmussen JC. Effect of pneumatic compression therapy on lymph movement in lymphedema-affected extremities, as assessed by near-infrared fluorescence lymphatic imaging. J Innov Opt Health Sci. 2017 Mar;10(2):1650049. doi: 10.1142/S1793545816500498. Epub 2016 Sep 28. PMID: 29104671; PMCID: PMC5665410. This imaging study showed direct visual evidence that Lympha Press® advanced pneumatic compression therapy helps move lymph fluid through lymphatic vessels and surrounding tissues in people with lower-limb lymphedema.
In this study, researchers used near-infrared fluorescence lymphatic imaging, a special imaging method that lets clinicians see lymph movement in real time after injection of a fluorescent dye. Four people with different types of lower-limb lymphedema received one 1-hour treatment with the Lympha Press® Optimal pneumatic compression system, using specially designed clear or windowed garments so the researchers could watch what happened during treatment. The images on pages 15–21 show that after pneumatic compression, fluorescent lymph moved farther up the leg, appeared in lymphatic vessels and surrounding tissues, and in one participant, recruited additional thigh lymphatic vessels that were not clearly active before treatment. The improvements were seen in all the lymphedema-affected legs studied, even in the more severe stage II-III case. The study found that Lympha Press®pneumatic compression increased lymph uptake into lymph vessels and also increased lymph pumping speed and frequency during treatment. Direct visualization through the clear garment windows showed that lymph vessel contractile activity occurred in response to, and in concert with, the sequential cycling massage of the Lympha Press®. As well, these improvements continued for at least 30 minutes after the session. In areas where lymph vessels were less visible or less functional, lymph moved from the extremities proximally through surrounding tissue spaces. These results provided visual evidence for the mechanism by which Lympha Press® treatment reduces lymphedema swelling. Quote from study: “Our results show that, in single sessions, pneumatic compression therapy acted to enable lymph to move proximally away from edematous regions through functional lymphatic vessels when available, or otherwise through interstitial spaces/channels. Both movements were responsible for net proximal movement (and modest tissue volume reductions) in the subjects studied.”
